Citizen Fish is a ska punk band that has been together since 1990. The band often makes strong social and political statements, dealing with themes such as anti-consumerism, vegetarianism, questioning the status quo, and encouraging people to get along with one another. The band is considered to be a side project of Subhumans and both bands share several members.

Based around Bath, England, the original members were Dick Lucas (vocals/words), Jasper (bass), Trotsky (drums), and Larry (guitar). Following their first album, Free Souls in a Trapped Environment, Larry left the band and was replaced by Phil, who, along with Dick and Trotsky, had previously been a member of the Subhumans. Jasper and Dick had previously played together in Culture Shock. In July 2006, Silas replaced Trotsky on drums. In the following month, after a five year recording hiatus, the band returned to the studio to record songs for a split album with the New York band Leftöver Crack.

Citizen Fish - Dancing on Spikes EP

In a country beset by economic woes, a Tory government and a strange, reactionary backlash by many young people that has led to these people being in power, a release from the Citizen Fish/Subhumans camp is especially timely. Dick Lucas has always been adept at writing in depth lyrics relating to social and political problems without making every song sound like a political tract, and the new Citizen Fish EP 'Dancing on Spikes' is a biting look at the current situation in Britain, set to a shout a long ska punk soundtrack that should have anyone' feet moving straight for the nearest dancefloor/pit. Like last years full length album 'Goods', the music on here is slightly slowed down in comparison to the bands output during the 90s and early 2000s, but its none the less foot stompingly catchy for it. Songs such as 'Unemplode', aimed at Job seeker's office and their unrealistic expectations for people to find work in this climate, or otherwise work for much lower than the amount needed to live, or 'Over', questioning the finality of the assumption that we have pulled out and 'finished' with certain middle eastern conflicts, are made more comprehensible by a slower pace, and are still catchy as fuck. The one faster song on the record, 'Write It All Down' is clearly going to be fun when your down the front with a cider in hand, but to be quite honest all six tracks are! The West Country's finest come through again. 5/5 Jono